Self-contained privacy cover for caretakers of infants

ABSTRACT

A flexible modesty cover sized to cover an infant and caretaker during breast-feeding is described. In one embodiment, the flexible cover comprises folding patterns to allow the flexible cover to be folded into a compact article, an integral pouch portion of the flexible cover configured to receive a substantial portion of the flexible cover to form the compact article, a flexible member configured to form a portion of the cover into an opening between the caretaker and infant. The opening is configured to allow the caretaker and infant to see each other, while the opening still blocks views of the infant and caretaker&#39;s exposed body portions from the general public.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application takes priority from U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 60/933,323 filed on Sep. 10, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of infant care, and inparticular to apparatus and methods for covering a nursing infant andcaretaker during breastfeeding.

2. Background Art

Generally, nursing is an intimate and private time, typically betweenthe mother or caretaker, and one or more infants. Unfortunately, infantsoften want to be fed at importune times, leaving the mother with amodesty problem when the infant wants to be nursed in public.

Caretakers and mothers often use conventional cloth cover-ups, blankets,towels, clothing, etc. in an attempt to cover themselves while nursingan infant in public. For example, conventional cover-ups such asdescribed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20070094764published May, 2007 to Wakefield et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,171 issuedApril, 1999 to Ries; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20030135909published July, 2003 to LaTorre; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,662 issuedJanuary, 1996 to Runco, describe cover-ups used to cover the caretakerand infant during nursing. Unfortunately, such conventional cover-ups,towels, etc., are hard to store, are relatively complex and often failto allow the mother and child to view each other without exposing themother. Further, to maintain privacy, conventional cover-ups and clothcovers may impede fresh airflow to the infant, thereby adding stress tothe mother trying to maintain privacy, while making fresh air availableto the infant.

Therefore, what is needed is an improved nursing cover-up allowing acaretaker to nurse an infant with privacy and comfort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention provide privacy to the user while feedingor caring for an infant. In one embodiment, the cover-up is configuredto provide a shape-retaining pliable member in a position to form anarch and thus allow a user and infant to visualize each other and for aninfant to receive adequate ventilation during the caretaking activity.The cover-up is configured to fold easily into a compact and stylisharticle enclosed in an integral.

These and other embodiments of the invention are described in furtherdetail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The aforementioned objects and advantages of the present invention, aswell as additional objects and advantages thereof, will be more fullyunderstood hereinafter as a result of a detailed description of apreferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the followingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a view of the cover up of the invention configured to be wornby a user;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the privacy cover up lying on a flat surface;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing how the privacy cover up hereof folds andconverts into an integral pouch; and

FIG. 4 is a view of the cover up fully folded and in the pouch state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 2 shows a rectangular piece of fabric 100 that has finished edgesand comprises the majority of the privacy cover-up. Encased in thecentral portion of the uppermost seam there is a stiff yet pliant strip106 preferably made of polyester bone which bows out from the user 107allowing visualization and ventilation for the infant 108. The longportion 102 of a neck strap is sewn to one end of the pliant strip 106.A D ring 105 is sewn to the free end of neck strap portion 103. Theshort portion 104 of the neck strap is sewn to the opposite end of thepliant strip 106. The two pieces of the neck strap are connected by theD ring 105 which allows the strap to adjust lengths. At the bottomcorner of the rectangular piece of fabric 100 a pocket 101 is sewn. Anadditional pocket 102 is sewn directly on top of the inner pocket 101.

Operation

A user of the privacy cover-up unfolds it from the pouch state. The userconnects the long portion 103 of the neck strap to the short portion 104of the neck strap by slipping the short end into both rings of the Dring 105. The user then directs the short end 104 over one ring andunder the other then pulls on the strap to tighten. The user places theneck strap over their neck and either loosens or tightens the neck strapto adjust the length. The user straightens the rectangular piece offabric 100 to provide maximum coverage to herself and the infant. Next,the user adjusts the pliant strip 106 of the upper seam to provide anarch and slightly elevated passage in order to easily visualize theinfant. The pliant strip 106 also allows the infant to see the user andfresh air to flow easily in and out of the cover-up. The user can easilygain access to the items stored in either the inside pocket 101 oroutside pocket 102 by simply reaching to the lower corner of therectangular piece 100. Both pockets will be right side up whether in thecover-up state FIG. 2 or in the pouch state FIG. 4. Items in the pocketsdo not have to be rearranged when converting from pouch to cover-up.

After the user is finished with the cover-up, it can be easily andcompactly stored within itself. This transformation is accomplished bythe user completing a series of folds shown in more detail in FIG. 3A-K.After the last fold has been completed, the user reaches inside pocket101 and flips the folded cover-up inside out forming the pouch FIG. 4.The pouch can be used to store various items and can be easily anddiscreetly packed away. Not only is the pouch stylish and compact, butit also enables the user to stow a clean item since any soiled materialwill be folded up and contained on the inside of the pouch.

Embodiments of the invention provide several advantages overconventional cover-ups:

-   -   Folds effortlessly and neatly into a self-contained pocket;    -   Converts into a stylish and compact pouch;    -   Can be used by either a man or a woman;    -   Is more versatile;    -   Provides a large area of coverage;    -   Is extremely easy to stow away;    -   Contains multiple pockets for storage of baby items or other        items;    -   Is compatible with any type clothing;    -   Can be worn by any size person;    -   Has an adjustable neck strap;    -   Provides a shape-retaining edge portion which can be elevated        into an arch shape to form an air flow and vision passage.

The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will, however, beevident that various modifications and changes may be made thereuntowithout departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention.

A recitation of “a”, “an” or “the” is intended to mean “one or more”unless specifically indicated to the contrary.

All patents, patent applications, publications, and descriptionsmentioned above are herein incorporated by reference in their entiretyfor all purposes. None is admitted to be prior art.

1. A privacy cover-up apparatus comprising: a flexible cover sized to cover an infant and caretaker during a caretaking activity; wherein the flexible cover comprises folding patterns to allow the flexible cover to be folded into a compact article; a pouch portion of the flexible cover configured to receive a said folded flexible cover to form the compact article; and a flexible member configured to form a portion of the cover into an opening between the caretaker and infant, wherein the opening is configured to allow the caretaker and infant to see each other, while the opening is sized sufficiently to block views of the infant and care-taker's exposed body portions from others.
 2. A cover-up for providing privacy to a nursing mother during infant breastfeeding in a public place; the cover-up comprising: a substantially planar fabric cover of sufficient size to cover the infant and the breast of the nursing mother; an edge portion of said fabric cover being made of a shape-retaining material which can be formed into an arch extending outside the plane of said fabric cover to provide an air flow passage to the infant; and an adjustable strap for securing said fabric cover to the mother's neck.
 3. The cover-up recited in claim 2 wherein said edge portion and said strap are juxtaposed along the same position on said cover to permit said air flow passage to enable the mother to see the infant.
 4. A flexible modesty cover comprising: a substantially planar fabric portion having an edge area along at least a portion of its perimeter; a neck strap connected to said fabric portion along said edge area; a shape-retaining material being sewn into said edge area to permit formation of an arch in at least a part of said fabric portion to provide a ventilation passage.
 5. The flexible modesty cover recited in claim 4 wherein said neck strap and said shape retaining material are located in adjacent relation along said edge area.
 6. The flexible modesty cover recited in claim 4 wherein said planar fabric portion further comprises an integral open pocket for receiving said fabric portion in a folded configuration. 